11-APR-2019, SOURCE: The NewsMarket / From sports car manufacturers to mainstream family brands, sustainability is obviously becoming more and more important for the automotive industry. According to Porsche, economic, social and ecological aspects are now equally important.

The sports car manufacturer says it has reduced the CO2 emissions per vehicle by more than 75 percent since 2014. They have also reduced the corresponding energy consumption by around 31 percent in the same period.

Taycan factory: High-tech facade absorbs NOx

Porsche is playing a pioneering role in construction of the new Taycan factory in Zuffenhausen. A surface technology that absorbs nitrogen dioxide is used on its facade for the first time.

The facade elements are made of aluminium coated with titanium dioxide. The coating acts as a catalyst, and breaks down the absorbed pollutant particles into the harmless substances water and nitrate when exposed to sunlight and low air humidity.

In a first pilot project, Porsche is testing the NOx-absorbing high-tech facade on an area of 126 square metres. It corresponds to around ten parking spaces. There it performs the work of ten trees.

Sustainability pays for itself

Numerous measures that contribute to resource efficiency and relieve the burden on the environment also help to reduce costs.

This starts with the replacement of traditional lighting technology with LED lamps, the use of demand-controlled exhaust air systems in the body shop, utilization of waste heat from the paint shop, and continues through to the use of electromechanical production technologies instead of hydraulic work steps.

This last measure saves 11,544 kWh of energy each year. This is just for riveting work in the body shop at the Zuffenhausen site.

Sustainability also applies to the commute to Porsche

In order to avoid the growing number of employees causing a corresponding increase in traffic pollution, Porsche has established a company mobility management system.

Among other things, this includes the “Job Ticket” – a local public transport ticket subsidized by the company. It also includes the “Fine Dust Ticket.” This enables all employees at the locations in the Stuttgart area to use public transport free of charge in the event of a fine dust alert.

A comprehensive parking space management system means that available parking spaces can be easily identified. The Porsche TwoGo ride-sharing app is a well-established means for employees to arrange carpools quickly and in a practical way.

With the launch of “mobile working,” the sports car manufacturer will open itself up to new ways of working. In addition, it will also help relieve traffic pressure at peak times.

Further information on the sustainability activities of Porsche is in the Annual and Sustainability Report 2018. It’s available online at:

https://newsroom.porsche.com/de/geschaefts-nachhaltigkeit-bericht-2018.html